Sri Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu - In Search of History – Kongu Nadu – A Heritage Walk.

 13^th November 2016.

We, six history enthusiasts M/s Srinivasan. Raja, Nandhakumar, Santhosh, and Vijay trekked the Tiruchengode hill through steps, in which the 7th-century poet and one of the Nayanmar Thirugnanasambandar trekked the hill to have the darshan of Sri Ardhanareeswarar. Even though the hill temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Chengottu Velavar, Sri Subramanya Swamy is given more importance.

  

The Tiruchengode hill was called Kodimadachengundram during the 7^th century and Nayanmars were also mentioned in their hymns. Even though I had been to Sri Ardhanareeswarar temple several times, this time we saw the temple and the hill from a different perspective. From the start of the steps to the Sanctum, we had seen Chozha, Kongu Chozha,  Pandya, Vijayanagar, Kettimudali, Udayars, Nayaks, and Britishers contributions. Yes, Britishers too contributed to this temple.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:
We have inscriptions from the 10^th century on the hill by the side of the steps. The Kings and individuals who contributed to this temple are  Chozha King 1^st Rajendran (1032 CE),  Chozha King Rajakesari Varman (10^th century), Chozha King (Kongu - 13^th Century), Chozha King 3^rd Rajendran (may be Kongu Chozha )(13^th century),  Pandya king 2^nd Sadaiyavarma Sundaran (13^th century),  Kongu Chozhan Veera Rajendran (13^th century), Vijayanagar (16^th century), Veerapradhaba Krishnaraya Maharayar,  Krishnadeva Maharayar, Sadasiva Maharayar, Nallathambi Kangeyan, Athappa Nallathambi Kangeyan, Athappa Irumudi Nallathambi Kangeyan (17^th century) Kumaraswamy Kangeyan, Nayakkar  Viswanatha Chokkalingan, Vijayanagara (17^th century)  Nayakar Chokkanathan, Narashima Udayar, Nayakkar Boththu 9 18^th Century ). Of the above Chozha King 3^rd Rajendran has the maximum number of contributions.  (for a copy of the inscriptions …. Please CLICK HERE ).

The inscriptions mainly speak about gold, land, coins, mandapas, ponds to store water donated to Lord Shiva for the naivedyam, poojas, Thirumanjanam, Annathanam, Burning of the perpetual lamp, celebrating functions, and chanting of Vedas & hymns.  Now it is very sad to note these inscriptions are being destroyed by the cutting of snake reliefs in the name of pariharam.

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions - Near the Nagar Temple 

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps 

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps - see how the people destroyed the inscriptions by cutting Nagars  

 Inscriptions between 325 to 365 steps - see how the people destroyed the inscriptions by cutting Nagars 

 Inscriptions nearly 60 steps 

 Inscriptions nearly 60 steps 

There is no separate inscription of the Britishers. Davis W D (19^th century) an acting collector of Salem renovated the Vigneswarar Mandapam and his relief is on one of the pillars and also on the rock near the Sanctum. (He also constructed a mandapam and a marriage hall for Sri Sukavaneswarar temple in Salem Town).

 DAVIS, W D ( 19th century )The Salem collector from 1923 to 1926. He constructed the Vigneswarar Sannadhi Mandapam, whose relief is also on one of the pillars  

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

FOR MORE PHOTOS AND INSCRIPTIONS ON GOOGLE:    CLICK HERE 

 Cutting the nose of the defeated king's soldiers – a relief  - Mainly available in Salem dist temples 

 The person killing the tiger and his dog also bite the tiger.

 Jeyshta Devi- or the Thavvai Thai still in worship

  Ayyanar 

 Bell structure was donated by the Britishers and the supporting rail was imported from the UK in 1910

 Bell structure was donated by the Britishers and the supporting rail was imported from the UK in 1910

Old bell  donated by an individual of course not used now 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---